Boeing celebrates 50 years of flight for the 747 with photos

Boeing published this story to celebrate 50 years of Boeing 747 flying:

Every day millions of people fly, it is an accepted way of life – but that has not always been the case. From the early days of commercial aviation, flying was limited to business travelers and those with the means to purchase the very expensive tickets.

Destinations were also limited requiring a number of connections to fly between major cities. In 1969, that all changed as an incredible invention was revealed to the world. On Feb. 9, 1969, the Boeing 747, called the “Super Jet,” and dubbed the “Jumbo Jet” by the press took to the skies for the first time. To those whom have loved the plane through the years she is the “Queen of the Skies.”

Innovation

The 747 quickly became the icon of commercial aviation. The 747 was postage stamp famous, an icon of pop…